Singer-songwriter Bob Sumner cites the musically progressive sensibilities of his heroes when talking about the spirit of his new album, Some Place to Rest Easy. “They were always creating something new, something different,” he says of idols like George Jones, Willie Nelson, and Waylon Jennings. With that ideology in mind, Sumner set about creating an album that takes as much inspiration from the audio production of Randy Travis as it does the lyrical soul of Big Thief’s Adrianne Lenker—a melding of eras, sounds, concepts, and stylings that’s informed by the past, but never bound by it.

Sumner’s music has always been about more than a single sound, influence, instrumental, or clever line. “I always want people to feel something,” Sumner explains. “If I heard that this album helped somebody that was feeling down, even just by feeling some other emotion for a little while, that’s the number one thing for me.”

Sumner has provided opening duties for the likes of Colter Wall, Willie Watson, Kelsey Waldon, Corb Lund, and J.P. Harris. In Texas, while on a support tour he was invited onstage by new friend and admirer Hayes Carll, and at a showcase in Nashville, Sumner planted his flag at the world-famous Bluebird Cafe—fulfilling a lifelong dream in the process. 

“More than a single sound, influence, instrumental, or theme, the through line in Sumner’s music has always been vulnerability.” Glide Magazine
“Genuine and weighty songwriting”  Americana Highways
“High class, country leaning Americana.”  Americana UK